Chinese Magnolia vine (Schizandra chinensis)

Common Name: Chinese Magnolia-vine, Magnolia vines, Five flavour berry

Latin Name: Schizandra chinensis, Schisandra chinensis

Family: Schisandraceae

Origin: Grown from Seed in Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Variety: and if the seed came from male of female plant is unknown.

Description: Perennial, deciduous woody vine plant native to forests of Northern China, the Russian Far East, Korea, and Japan.  Climbs up trees or supports. The leaves are glossy green, oval-shaped, alternating and the petioles have a slight red colouring. Stems are brown in colour. The flowers are unisexual and the species itself is dioecious. therefore not self-fertile, Flowers on a female plant will only produce fruit when fertilized with pollen from a male plant  The roots of Schisandra chinensis are branched and stay close to the soil surface. 

Hardiness: Hardy

Soil: Moist, loose and well-draining soil.

Position:  Sheltered, shaded position. Will need to be supported. 

Height: The prostrate woody stems can grow 8–9 metres (26–30 ft) tall, and can reach a length of up to 25m.

Spread: It produces shoots that can be controlled to maintain desired spread. 

Maintenance: Will need support tie up on stakes in vertical columns. 

Uses: Dried berries are used medicinally and given the name five flavor fruit' or wuweizi because they possess five flavors: salty, sweet, sour, pungent (spicy), and bitter. It is used as an adaptogen, to support heart health, as immune and liver tonic.